meantime, hoping to keep up the heat on the eve of the republican convention, after a week of headlines over abortion and a woman's right to choose. After republican congressman todd akin said earlier this week that during rape, the female body has a way to, quote, shut the whole thing down, avoid pregnancy. The president trying to tie that controversy to mitt romney's running mate, paul ryan, who cosponsored bills with congressman akin. He has signed up for positions, extreme positions, that are very consistent with the positions that a number of house republicans have taken. Whether he actually believes in those or not, I have no doubt that he would carry forward some of the things that he's talkeden. I want to bring in abc senior political editor tonight, rick klein. Inside there in tampa. And rick, the president's strategy pretty clear here. Reporter: That's right. He wants -- the president wants to make todd akin into mitt romney's running mate. The reason is, anything he can do to tie romney to those comments, to those sentiments, that is tying romney to extreme, out of the mainstream elements outside of his party. Those are the sentiments, the feelings and perceptions mitt romney can't afford to have emanate from the hall here in tampa. But rick, in the meantime, governor romney fiercely pushing back tonight. I want to get your reaction from what we heard from the governor today. I think it was a terrible statement on his part. I think it was uninformed. I think it was outrageous and offensive. I've asked him to get out of the race. I think I have distanced myself from the kind of thing he said as far as I possibly can. The governor talking about what congressman akin said just days ago. Rick, the governor trying to push back, too. Repor EVERYTHING HE CAN Do to make himself into mainstream mitt, maybe moderate mitt, is so critical, these women voters that we talk about. And, of course, key to that strategy is ann romney, first speech on tuesday night, maybe the most anticipated one of the week. Including her husband. Rick klein tonight with the bigger picture. Rick, as always, thanks to you.

This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.

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